Interested in Dramashop?

• Acting?
• Directing?
• Writing?
• Stage Managing?
• Desiging?
• Officers?
• Faculty?

Acting

All of the actors in Dramashop productions (with few exceptions) are MIT students or staff. Many students get credit for acting in our productions, as an extension to acting class, but many actors do not take classes at all. In an average year we are in need of 40 to 50 actors for our productions, and we are always looking for new faces. Look for audition announcements!

Directing and Writing

Every fall, Dramashop presents three or four Student-Written, Student-Directed One Act Plays. This is a great opportunity for students or anyone from the MIT community to see their work produced. It is also a great chance for members of the MIT community to direct a small production. Playwrights and directors work closely with each other, and both can call on the experience of the faculty, if they wish. See the Dramashop calendar for important dates in the production schedule for the Student-Written One-Acts.

Stage Managing and Stage Crew

Every Dramashop production has a stage manager from the MIT community. Since directors choose their stage managers at the beginning of every production, the best way to become a stage manager is to speak directly to the director or to send an email to ds_officers informing us of your interest. Each production also needs a technical director and run crew.

Designing

Students are encouraged to design sets, lights, and costumes as often as possible. With funding from MIT and the help of the Theater Arts Technical Staff some amazing designs have been realized in Dramashop productions. Students also have access to the Theater Arts Costume Shop and Set Construction Shop in building E33 (the old Rinaldi Tile Company Building). To find out more about design opportunities, send an email to the Theater Arts Designers at Rinaldi, or to ds_officers.

The Dramashop Officers

The Dramashop Officers (with the help and funding of the Music and Theater Arts office) keep Dramashop running from year to year. We select the plays to be produced each year and are responsible for a number of tasks, such as advertising and box office management, that come with every production. Every month, we invite the MIT community to participate in cold readings of interesting plays, many of which are considered for production. Every spring, all those that participated in the past year's productions gather to select new officers.

The Faculty

Dramashop is one of the few theater groups on campus that is closely tied to the MIT Theater Arts faculty. Most of our productions are directed by faculty members, and quite often the sets, costumes, and lights are designed by faculty members as well. Though Dramashop controls which plays are produced, the faculty are instrumental in bringing those productions to life. When students play the part of director or designer, they can ask for a great deal of support from the faculty.

This same faculty offers a number of classes in acting, directing, and designing. Dramashop productions are always an excellent chance to work with and get to know the teachers you see in theater arts classes. Visit the Theater Arts web site to find out about theater classes at MIT.